Is this more than a difference in ministry style?

This passage comes from Paul's second letter to Timothy. 

2 Timothy 4:2(NKJV)

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 

The part that I have highlighted is the part I wonder about.  It seems to be saying do whatever you have to do to convince people to believe in Jesus.  Jesus style on the other hand was to lay it out there and if they believed, great, if they didn't, oh well, in either case Jesus was moving on.  He didn't spend time trying to talk people in to believing in Him.

Now is this simply a matter of differences of style or is there more to it than that.  I'm not sure.  My opinion is that you probably get a more solid conversion with the way Jesus does it.  On the other hand maybe there is something to be said for getting people started with even a "talked into it" conversion. 

I guess in the end, use what works for you. 

What is the purpose of Scripture?

I love when Scripture makes things simple. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17(NKJV)

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 

that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

There is a meme on FB that says something like "if you are using your religion to hurt people, you are using it wrong" or something like that. 

That is one of those clever phrases that sounds religious until you examine it in light of the Scripture above.  It is clever in that it tries to deflect guilt and criticism.  Pointing out that someone is acting in an immoral way is equated with "hurting them" and therefore according to their trite little saying, you shouldn't criticize immoral behavior. 

Now compare that to the Scripture above.  One of the purposes of Scripture is for correction.  Will correcting someone hurt their feelings?  Quite probably so.  Do you see any clause there that says "for correction unless it hurts them"?  Nope. 

Scripture says the truth will set you free.  The purpose of the meme is to hide the truth and keep people enslaved by their behavior. 

Does that make sense?   

Does that mean not everyone should get a trophy?

Look what I found. 

2 Timothy 2:4-6(NKJV)

No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 

And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 

The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 

Apparently not everyone should get a trophy.  :)

Here is a verse you should read every day!

What a great affirmational verse to start the day with!

2 Timothy 1:7(NKJV)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Is God advocating rape, pillage, and plunder?

Isaiah 13:15-16(NKJV)

    Everyone who is found will be thrust through,     And everyone who is captured will fall by the sword.

    Their children also will be dashed to pieces before their eyes;     Their houses will be plundered     And their wives ravished.

Wow, this is what God says will happen to Babylon as punishment for taking Judah captive.  Kids will be killed and wives will be raped, and houses will be plundered. 

Now is God advocating it or just allowing it to happen? 

Human Nature

I find it interesting how well the Bible knows human behavior.  Take a look at this. 

1 Timothy 5:11-16(NKJV)

But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 

having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 

And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 

Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 

For some have already turned aside after Satan. 

If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.

This Scripture warns against idleness.  It says young widows "learn" to be idle.  That tells me that being idle is not a natural state.  God designed us to be fruitful.  Not to be lazy.  God made us to set goals and accomplish them. 

Pretty cool!

The Spirit

One of the things about studying the prophets is all of the symbolism.  I find it hard to understand.  Take this verse for example. 

Isaiah 11:2(NKJV)

    The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,     The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,     The Spirit of counsel and might,     The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

It talks about The Spirit of the Lord which we are used to.  What I find interesting is that it also describes wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, and knowledge as Spirit.  I'm not sure what the significance is.  Something to watch for in future studies. 

Requirements for Bishops and Deacons

I don't know why but this made me chuckle.  The difference in requirements between Bishop and Deacon.

1 Timothy 3:1-13(NKJV)

This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. 

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 

not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 

one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 

(for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 

not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 

Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, 

holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. 

But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. 

Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 

Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 

For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Bishops can't drink wine at all but Deacons can drink wine a little bit.  Kind of odd when you consider that the first miracle Jesus did was turn water into wine at the wedding. 

But it also has a certain amount of logic to it and I think that is the point of the Scripture.  The higher the office and responsibilities you seek, the more strict the requirements of the person.  To me that makes perfect sense.

"Prince of Peace"

I've always found this juxtaposition interesting. 

Isaiah 9:6(NKJV)

    For unto us a Child is born,      Unto us a Son is given;     And the government will be upon His shoulder.     And His name will be called     Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,     Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah said that Jesus would be called the Prince of Peace.  But look what Jesus Himself said.

Matthew 10:34(NKJV)

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 

How to reconcile these two verses.

Maybe the peace that Isaiah was talking about is a different peace.  Not peace between people but inner peace.  That peace that surpasses all understanding.